MARTIN Hughes-Games, Michaela Strachan and Chris Packham are back to explain the pressures our wildlife face at this time of year

After the heavy downpours and freezing conditions of recent months, spring has finally arrived, tempting our wildlife out into the sunshine.

Michaela Strachan and the Springwatch team will return to RSPB Minsmere on the Suffolk coast this Monday, treating us to three weeks of wildlife watching, animal encounters and exciting discoveries from across the UK.

This year’s programme is packed with seasonal surprises – from heron diaries and nesting seabirds to the Brummie birds’ dawn chorus and the great bustards’ return to the UK.

“We hope to capture the behaviour of marsh harriers and golden eagles this year,” says Michaela.

Using state-of-the-art technology, the team will capture activity above and below ground, from baby rabbit burrows to action on the riverbed.

“Springwatch has been on our screens for more than 10 years, and the change in technology during that time is staggering,” says Chris, 55.

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Michaela said the team hope they can capture the behaviour of golden eagles and marsh harriers

“The thermal imaging camera has been a revelation, allowing us to watch animals in the dark without interfering or changing their behaviour.”

While Michaela, Chris and Martin report from Suffolk, roving reporter Iolo Williams will travel to the Northumberland coast to bring us spectacular footage of breeding puffins and reveal the source of eerie noises in the mist – singing seals.

“It could be very cold on the Farne Islands,” he says.

“It will be really interesting to see the effects the weather has had on our wildlife. We’re all worried about the implications.”

This year’s Springwatch will encourage viewers to get outside and help wildlife in their area. While Martin gets stuck in at Minsmere, the BBC campaign Do Something Great will invite the nation to pledge their free time and lend a hand with beach clean-ups, planting trees or even litter-picking parties.